COUNCIL services could be hit by new powers which allow the community to bid to run them.

As part of the Localism Act community and voluntary groups can apply to run council services under new Community Right to Challenge powers, or they can nominate land or buildings as community assets under the Community Right to Bid powers.

A meeting of the full Calderdale Council last night agreed to a framework for how its scheme will work.

The Examiner has already revealed that the Brighouse Business Initiative has indicated it would like to take over the running of the town’s car parks. They would use the Community Right to Challenge powers.

And those fighting to save the Holy Well Inn in Holywell Green are looking to nominate the Stainland Road pub as a community asset after Calderdale planners rejected a developer’s plan to convert the pub into flats. They would use the Community Right to Bid powers.

The Community Right to Challenge establishes a right for groups to submit expressions of interest (EOI) to run council services. If an EOI is accepted it triggers a competitive procurement exercise open to other suitable providers.

Voluntary and community organisations, charitable organisations, a group of two of more council employees, and town and parish councils can submit an EOI and it’s not restricted to locally-based organisations.

The Community Right to Bid gives local groups the right to nominate assets – land or property in public or private ownership – as being of community value. Councils will also compile a register of assets they think will be of community value.

The Right to Bid is not the same as Community Asset Transfer, which relates only to public assets at less than market value.

Calderdale Council admits the changes could potentially affect every council service, with a report saying: “The majority of council services could potentially be subject to a Right to Challenge from the community and we need to be clear about the statutory responsibilities of the council and the framework for managing any such challenges.”

In Calderdale the window for receipt of expressions of interest will run from July 1 to September 30 and annually thereafter.

In Kirklees the first submissions for the Right to Challenge runs from April 1 to June 30.